The Comics Alternative

Euro Comics: Reviews of Luisa, Now and Then and Green Almonds: Letters from Palestine

The Comics Alternative is weekly podcast focusing on the world of alternative, independent, and primarily non-superhero comics. (There's nothing wrong with superhero comics. We just want to do something different.) New podcast episodes become available every Wednesday and include reviews of graphic novels and current ongoing series, discussions of upcoming comics, examinations of collected editions, in-depth analyses of a variety of comics texts, and spotlights on various creators and publishers. The Comics Alternative also produces "special feature" programs, such as shows specifically dedicated to creator interviews, webcomics, on-location events, and special non-weekly themes and topics.

For their August show, Pascal and Derek look at two works whose
creators may be largely unknown here in the states. They begin
with Carole Maurel's Luisa, Now and Then,
one of the first books published as part of Humanoids' new Life
Drawn imprint. As the guys point out, this is a time-travel
narrative where an individual confronts herself from another time.
While this is a popular trope, Maurel gives it a different spin.
Instead of time-traveling backwards, as found in most such
narratives (e.g., Peggy Sue Got
Married), in Luisa, Now and Thenthe
movement is forward in time. This story is filled with intriguing
scenarios, given the premise, and also a lot of humor. One could
argue that it's one of the best introductions to the Life Drawn
imprint.

Next, Derek and Pascal check out Green Almonds: Letters from
Palestine, written and drawn by the sisters Anaële
and Delphine Hermans (Lion Forge). This is an epistolary
travelogue, the story of Anaële's 10-month stay in Bethlehem
volunteering for a youth organization. She and Delphine
corresponded during the Anaële's sojourn, and then Delphine used
her sister's letters as a basis for her art. It's an intriguing
concept, but as Pascal points out, there are potential problems in
the visual representation, given the fact that the artist wasn't
the one experiencing the time in Palestine and Israel. As a result,
there are several unanswered questions imbedded in the narrative.
There are various contexts that weren't addressed (apparently)
in Anaële's original letters, so those are absent in the
text.

About the Podcast

Two guys with PhDs talking about comics! The Comics Alternative is a multi-programmed podcast focusing on the world of alternative, independent, and primarily non-superhero comics. (There's nothing wrong with superhero comics. We just want to do something different.) New review episodes become available every Wednesday and include discussions of graphic novels and current ongoing series, overviews of upcoming comics, examinations of collected editions, insightful analyses of a variety of critical texts, and spotlights on various creators and publishers. The Comics Alternative also produces a many in-depth interviews with creators. In addition, you'll find a variety of themed monthly programs, such as shows specifically dedicated to webcomics, manga, comics for younger readers, European albums, and on-location events.